Assistant Director, Digital Designer

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director, Content & Editorial, the Assistant Director, Digital Designer designs and produces digital-first visuals & multimedia creative assets that elevate Columbia Business School's storytelling across web, social, and multimedia platforms. Working collaboratively with the broader Marketing and Communications team, this role helps to conceptualize the design and deliver visual materials that advance the School's brand, enhance engagement, and drive measurable outcomes.

The Assistant Director, Digital Designer, creates graphics, layouts, and motion content for CBS digital channels, designs event and initiative lockups, and develops visual assets aligned with the School's strategic communications and marketing objectives. Blending creative design expertise, technical proficiency, and strategic insight, the incumbent brings the CBS brand to life through visually compelling digital content that engages audiences, amplifies the School's narrative, and reinforces its distinctive identity across platforms.

About Columbia Business School

For over a century, Columbia Business School has helped develop leaders and builders of enterprises who drive value for their stakeholders and society at large through our MBA, MS, PhD, and Executive Education programs. We are equally committed to cultivating new scholars and teachers and to creating and disseminating pathbreaking knowledge, concepts, and tools that advance the understanding and practice of management through our faculty research and PhD programs.

Our vision is simple : to develop ideas and leaders that transform the world-from the very center of business. Our ever-evolving curriculum - featuring pioneering courses, STEM certification, and immersive experiential learning -prepares students to excel in key areas such as digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and innovation, twenty-first century finance, the intersection of business and society, and climate and sustainability. The CBS administration enables CBS's educational and scholarly mission through strategic and operational guidance and support, optimizing the School's resources through well-designed, transparent processes with a culture of respect for all.

Responsibilities

Digital and Multimedia Design

Designs, produces, and optimizes creative assets across digital channels, including web banners, infographics, social media graphics, motion graphics, short-form videos, email headers, GIFs, digital signage, presentation templates, and paid media ads, to enhance engagement, strengthen brand consistency, and support marketing and storytelling initiatives.

Develops visual identities and lockups for major School events, campaigns, and internal initiatives

Applies the CBS brand identity into cohesive, accessible, and visually compelling digital experiences.

Stays current on design and platform trends (social, UX / UI, responsive, accessibility, and motion design) to inform creative execution and ensure CBS visuals remain contemporary and impactful.

Ensures all assets meet accessibility (ADA / WCAG) and responsive design standards.

Brand Stewardship and Visual Identity

Upholds and evolves the School's visual identity across digital and print applications, ensuring design consistency and brand integrity.

Provides design guidance to internal partners and external vendors on CBS brand guidelines, design standards, and best practices.

At the direction of Marketing and Communications leadership, develops scalable templates, design systems, and reusable visual assets for use across departments.

Proposes design updates for CBS website, newsletters, presentations, and social platforms that reflect a unified brand narrative.

Collaboration and Creative Development

Collaborates with the Marketing and Communications team to design creative elements that enhance storytelling and campaign execution.

Participates in brainstorming and concept development sessions, contributing innovative visual design ideas aligned with institutional goals.

Translate research and other technical content into beautiful, compelling, easy-to-understand visuals

Works with cross-functional teams (Development & Alumni Relations, Executive Education, Admissions, and others) to understand objectives and translate them into compelling visual solutions.

Presents creative concepts and design iterations to stakeholders; incorporates feedback to achieve desired outcomes.

Project and Asset Management

Manages multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring high-quality deliverables and timely completion.

Maintains an organized digital asset library, ensuring accessibility and version control of design files.

Supports the preparation of vendor files and liaises with printers or external production partners when needed.

Contributes to the ongoing refinement of workflows and creative processes to improve efficiency and collaboration within the team.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and 2-4 years of related experience in digital, multimedia, or graphic design.

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro) and familiarity with Figma, Canva, or other collaborative design tools.

Demonstrated ability to design and produce digital assets (web graphics, social visuals, motion graphics, and event lockups) that align with institutional branding.

Solid understanding of layout, typography, color theory, and accessibility standards for digital design.

Working knowledge of responsive and interactive design principles and familiarity with HTML5 / CSS or CMS platforms (WordPress, Drupal) preferred.

Strong project-management and time-management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with openness to feedback and a commitment to maintaining brand consistency across channels.

Experience working in a higher education or agency setting is a plus.

Portfolio demonstrating creative range, visual problem-solving, and brand-driven design solutions.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.